U.S. patent application number 15/097835 was filed with the patent office on 2017-10-19 for physical watch hands for a computerized watch.
The applicant listed for this patent is Google Inc.. Invention is credited to Melissa Frank, Brett Lider.
Application Number | 20170300016 15/097835 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 58360669 |
Filed Date | 2017-10-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170300016 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lider; Brett ; et
al. |
October 19, 2017 |
PHYSICAL WATCH HANDS FOR A COMPUTERIZED WATCH
Abstract
A computerized watch is described that includes a cover that
forms an outer surface of the computerized watch, a screen
configured to output graphical information for display, a set of
physical watch hands positioned between the cover and the screen
and configured to present a time of day. One or more computer
processors and a memory comprising instructions. The instructions,
when executed, cause the one or more computer processors to
responsive to determining that the computerized watch is operating
in a time display mode, manipulate the set of physical watch hands
such that the set of physical watch hands present the time of day
by obscuring a portion of a display region of the screen, and
responsive to determining that the computerized watch is not
operating in the time display mode, manipulate the set of physical
watch hands such that the set of physical hands do not obscure the
screen.
Inventors: |
Lider; Brett; (San
Francisco, CA) ; Frank; Melissa; (Los Altos,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Google Inc. |
Mountain View |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
58360669 |
Appl. No.: |
15/097835 |
Filed: |
April 13, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G04B 19/00 20130101;
G04G 9/0035 20130101; G04B 19/04 20130101; G04C 17/0091 20130101;
G04G 21/04 20130101; G04G 21/02 20130101; G04G 9/00 20130101; G04G
9/0082 20130101; G04G 9/0064 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G04C 17/00 20060101
G04C017/00; G04G 9/00 20060101 G04G009/00; G04G 9/00 20060101
G04G009/00; G04G 9/00 20060101 G04G009/00; G04B 19/04 20060101
G04B019/04 |
Claims
1. A computerized watch, comprising: a transparent cover that forms
at least a portion of an outer surface of the computerized watch; a
screen configured to output graphical information for display at a
display region of the screen; a set of physical watch hands
configured to present a time of day between the transparent cover
and the screen; one or more computer processors; and a memory
comprising instructions that when executed by the one or more
computer processors cause the one or more computer processors to:
responsive to determining that the computerized watch is operating
in a time display mode, mechanically manipulate the set of physical
watch hands such that the set of physical watch hands present the
time of day by obscuring a portion of the display region of the
screen; and responsive to determining that the computerized watch
is not operating in the time display mode, mechanically manipulate
the set of physical watch hands such that the set of physical hands
do not obscure any portion of the display region of the screen.
2. The computerized watch of claim 1, wherein: the set of physical
watch hands are configured to extend from a stowed position to an
extended position to present the time of day between the cover and
the screen; and the instructions, when executed, further cause the
one or more computer processors to: manipulate the set of physical
watch hands by extending the set of physical watch hands from the
stowed position to the extended position in response to determining
that the computerized watch is operating in the time display mode;
and manipulate the set of physical watch hands by retracting the
watch hands from the extended position to the stowed position in
response to determining that the computerized watch is not
operating in the time display mode.
3. The computerized watch of claim 2, wherein the stowed position
corresponds to a central location of the display region of the
screen that is between the cover and the screen.
4. The computerized watch of claim 3, further comprising a central
hub located between the cover and the screen, wherein the stowed
position is within the central hub.
5. The computerized watch of claim 2, wherein: the outer surface is
a first surface of the computerized watch, the computerized watch
further comprises an outer housing that forms a second surface of
the computerized watch that is opposite the first surface; and the
stowed position is located between the screen and the outer
housing.
6. The computerized watch of claim 5, wherein the set of physical
watch hands is configured to extend from the stowed position to the
extended position by extending from an edge of the display region
of the screen to the extended position above the display region of
the screen.
7. The computerized watch of claim 5, further comprising hub
located between the edge of the screen and the outer housing,
wherein the stowed position is within the hub.
8. The computerized watch of claim 1, wherein: each physical hand
from the set of physical watch includes a respective planar surface
and a respective vertical edge; and the instructions, when
executed, further cause the one or more computer processors to:
manipulate the set of physical watch hands by twisting each
physical watch hand of the set of physical watch hands such that
the respective planar surface is parallel to the screen in response
to determining that the computerized watch is operating in the time
display mode; and manipulate the set of physical watch hands by
twisting each physical hand such that the respective planar surface
is perpendicular to the screen in response to determining that the
computerized watch is not operating in the time display mode.
9. The computerized watch of claim 8, wherein the respective
vertical edge of each physical hand from the set of physical watch
hands has a thickness that causes the set of physical watch hands
to not obscure the screen when the set of physical watch hands are
twisted such that the respective planar surface is perpendicular to
the screen.
10. The computerized watch of claim 1, wherein the set of physical
watch hands is formed from metallic material, composite material,
silicon material, or polymer material.
11. The computerized watch of claim 10, wherein the set of physical
watch hands is formed of a spring steel alloy.
12. A method comprising: responsive to determining that a
computerized watch is operating in a time display mode,
mechanically manipulating, by the computerized watch, a set of
physical watch hands such that the set of physical watch hands
present a time of day between a cover of the computerized watch and
a screen of the computerized watch by obscuring a portion of a
display region of the screen, wherein the cover forms at least a
portion of an outer surface of the computerized watch and the
screen is configured to output graphical information for display at
the display region of the screen; and responsive to determining
that the computerized watch is not operating in the time display
mode, mechanically manipulating, by the computerized watch, the set
of physical watch hands such that the set of physical hands do not
obscure any portion of the display region of the screen.
13. The method of claim 12, further comprising: further responsive
to determining that the computerized watch is not operating in the
time display mode, outputting, by the computerized watch, for
display at the screen, graphical information.
14. The method of claim 12, further comprising: further responsive
to determining that the computerized watch is operating in the time
display mode, refraining from outputting, by the computerized
watch, for display at the screen, graphical information.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein refraining from outputting the
graphical information includes powering-off, by the computerized
watch, the screen.
16. The method of claim 12, wherein manipulating the set of
physical watch hands such that the set of physical watch hands
present the time of day between the cover and the screen comprises
extending, by the computerized watch, the watch hands from a stowed
position to an extended position in response to determining that
the computerized watch is operating in the time display mode.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the stowed position and the
extended position are each located between the cover and the
screen.
18. The method of claim 16, wherein the extended position is
located between the cover and the screen and the stowed position is
located between the screen and an outer housing that forms a
surface of the computerized watch that is opposite the cover.
19. A computer readable storage medium comprising instructions,
that when executed, cause at least one processor of a computerized
watch to: responsive to determining that a computerized watch is
operating in a time display mode, mechanically manipulate a set of
physical watch hands of the computerized watch such that the set of
physical watch hands present a time of day between a cover of the
computerized watch and a screen of the computerized watch by
obscuring a portion of a display region of the screen, wherein the
cover forms at least a portion of an outer surface of the
computerized watch and the screen is configured to output graphical
information for display at the display region of the screen; and
responsive to determining that the computerized watch is not
operating in the time display mode, mechanically manipulate set of
physical watch hands such that the set of physical hands do not
obscure any portion of the display region of the screen.
20. The computer readable storage medium of claim 19, wherein each
physical hand includes from the set of physical watch hands
includes a respective planar surface and a respective vertical
edge, and the instructions, when executed, further cause the at
least one processor of the computerized watch to: manipulate the
set of physical watch hands such that the set of physical watch
hands present the time of day between the cover and the screen by
twisting each physical hand from the set of physical watch hands
such that a respective planar surface of the physical hand is
parallel to the screen in response to determining that the
computerized watch is operating in the time display mode;
manipulate the set of physical watch hands such that the set of
physical hands do not obscure the screen by twisting each physical
hand from the set of physical watch hands such that the respective
planar surface is perpendicular to the screen in response to
determining that the computerized watch is not operating in the
time display mode.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] A computerized watch may display graphical information
(e.g., messages, fitness information, and the like) at a screen.
Unlike traditional watches that use mechanical or physical hands to
present the time of day, a computerized watch may also display, and
periodically update, the time of day as a graphic at the screen.
For example, a computerized watch may render an image of an analog
watch face, including graphical representations of hour and minute
hands, and output rendered image for display at a screen. The
computerized watch may continuously update the image as the time of
day changes.
[0002] Unfortunately, despite their ability to present more than
just the time of day, some people prefer watches that present the
time of day with actual mechanical or physical hands, in comparison
to computerized watches that display the time of day as a rendered
image of watch hands displayed on a screen. For instance, physical
watch hands may be easier to see than graphical watch hands,
particularly when viewing the watch face from an odd or shallow
angle. In addition, even if a computerized watch utilizes a
low-power mode or low-energy screen when displaying a graphical
representation of the time of day, the computerized watch
inevitably has to consume at least some electrical energy to power
the screen, which may drain a battery.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0003] FIGS. 1A and 1B are conceptual diagrams illustrating
top-down and cross-sectional side views of an example computerized
watch that is configured to present the time using physical watch
hands, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present
disclosure.
[0004] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example
computerized watch that is configured to present the time using
physical watch hands, in accordance with one or more aspects of the
present disclosure.
[0005] FIGS. 3A-3H are conceptual diagrams illustrating top-down
and cross-sectional side views of an additional example
computerized watch that is configured to present the time using
physical watch hands, in accordance with one or more aspects of the
present disclosure.
[0006] FIGS. 4A-4D are conceptual diagrams illustrating top-down
and cross-sectional side views of an additional example
computerized watch that is configured to present the time using
physical watch hands, in accordance with one or more aspects of the
present disclosure.
[0007] FIGS. 5A and 5B are conceptual diagrams illustrating
extended and stowed positions of example physical watch hands, in
accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.
[0008] FIGS. 6A and 6B are conceptual diagrams illustrating visible
and hidden positions of additional example physical watch hands, in
accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.
[0009] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating example operations of an
example computerized watch that is configured to present the time
using physical watch hands, in accordance with one or more aspects
of the present disclosure.
[0010] FIGS. 8A-8D are conceptual diagrams illustrating top-down
and cross-sectional side views of an example computerized watch
that is configured to present the time using multiple, layered
segmented displays, in accordance with one or more aspects of the
present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0011] In general, techniques of this disclosure may enable a
computerized watch to use a set of physical watch hands to present
the time of day in an air-gap region located between a cover of the
computerized watch and a screen. For example, a computerized watch
may include a screen for presenting graphical information (e.g., a
graphical user interface). In addition, the computerized watch may
include a cover (e.g., a transparent cover glass) layered above the
screen to protects the screen from being soiled and/or damaged
through normal use. Depending on whether the computerized watch is
operating in a time display mode, the computerized watch may cause
the physical hands to either present the time of day or not present
the time of day. For example, the computerized watch may manipulate
the physical watch hands such that the set of physical watch hands
present the time of day between the cover and the screen by
obscuring a portion of a display region of the screen.
Alternatively, responsive to determining that the computerized
watch is not operating in the time display mode, the computerized
watch may manipulate the physical watch hands such that the set of
physical hands do not obscure the screen.
[0012] In this way, when the computerized watch is operating in a
time display mode, the example computerized watch may conserve
electrical energy by powering-off its display and presenting the
time of day using a set of physical watch hands that are located
between the cover and the display. Since the physical watch hands
are located between the cover and the screen (e.g., above the
display) the physical watch hands may cast shadows onto the
powered-off display, making it easier for a user to tell the time
of day, regardless of the angle from which he or she views the
watch face. In addition, by saving electrical energy through
completely powering off the display, the example computerized watch
may increase battery life and/or have the same battery life using a
smaller battery as compared to other computerized watches. Using a
smaller battery has the additional advantage of decreasing size,
weight, and/or cost.
[0013] FIGS. 1A and 1B are conceptual diagrams illustrating
top-down and cross-sectional side views of computing device 110 as
an example computerized watch that is configured to present the
time using physical watch hands, in accordance with one or more
aspects of the present disclosure. FIG. 1A shows a top-down view of
a watch face of computing device 110 and FIG. 1B shows a
side/cross-sectional view of computing device 110. As seen from the
top-down view of FIG. 1A, computing device 110 includes outer
housing 102, transparent cover 104, display unit 112, and a set of
physical watch hands 114 (also referred to herein as "mechanical
watch hands"), which include watch hand 114A and watch hand 114B.
As seen from the cross-sectional view of FIG. 1B, computing device
110 also includes user interface ("UP") module 122.
[0014] Although described primarily as being a computerized watch,
computing device 110 may be, e.g., an "always-on" device or
component of a system where it would be desirable for aesthetic
and/or power saving reasons to present information in both physical
and graphical form, even when computing device 110 is not likely
being used. For example, computing device 110 may be a wristwatch,
a fitness device, a clock or temperature gauge of a smart
thermostat, smoke detector, carbon monoxide detector, security
system, or other home or commercial building automation device, a
gauge (e.g., speedometer) in a vehicle dashboard or cockpit, a
gauge on a piece of equipment, or any and all other types of
components of systems where it would be desirable for aesthetic
and/or power saving reasons to present information in both physical
and graphical form.
[0015] Display unit 112 is configured to output graphical
information for display. Display unit 112 may include a pixel-array
(also referred to herein as a "screen") for displaying information
to a user. The screen of display unit 112 may be configured to
output graphical information for display. For example, display unit
112 may present graphical elements and/or text that make up a
graphical user interface of computing device 110.
[0016] Transparent cover 104 and outer housing 102 form the outer
surfaces of computing device 110. The surface formed by transparent
cover 104 is opposite the surface formed by outer housing 102. In
other words, transparent cover 104 forms a top surface of computing
device 110 through which a user can view the screen of display unit
112 and outer housing 102 forms a bottom surface of computing
device 110 that when held in a user's palm or worn on a user's
wrist, comes in contact with his or her skin.
[0017] Transparent cover 104 (referred to simply as "cover 104")
may be a transparent or semitransparent piece of glass, plastic, or
other suitable material that protects mechanical hands 114, display
unit 112, UI module 120, and the other components of computing
device 110 from being damaged due to moisture, debris, and/or
forceful contact that computing device 110 may experience as a user
wears computing device 110 on his or her wrist. Outer housing 102
represents the outer shell of computing device 110 that not only
protects the components of computing device 110 from damage but
also provides structural support. For example, outer housing 102
may be a casing made from metal, plastic, silicon, or some other
suitable material to provide structure and rigidity to computing
device 110.
[0018] Beneath transparent cover 104 is display unit 112. Display
unit 112 of computing device 110 may, in some examples, be a
presence-sensitive display. For example, display unit 112 may
function as an input device (e.g., as a touchscreen) for computing
device 110 and as an output device for computing device 110.
Display unit 112 may be implemented using various technologies. For
instance, display unit 112 may function as an input device using a
presence-sensitive input component, such as a resistive
touchscreen, a surface acoustic wave touchscreen, a capacitive
touchscreen, a projective capacitance touchscreen, a
pressure-sensitive screen, an acoustic pulse recognition
touchscreen, or another presence-sensitive display technology.
Display unit 112 may function as an output (e.g., display) device
using any one or more display components, such as a liquid crystal
display (LCD), dot matrix display, light emitting diode (LED)
display, inorganic light-emitting diode (ILED), organic
light-emitting diode (OLED) display, e-ink display, monochrome or
color display, or any other type of emissive or transmissive
display technology that is capable of outputting visible
information to a user of computing device 110.
[0019] Between cover 104 and the screen or display surface of
display unit 112 includes air-gap 106. Air-gap 106 represents a
narrow region between a cover glass and a screen of other
computerized watches that is typically devoid of any mechanical
features. However, unlike other computing devices, computing device
110 includes a set of physical watch hands 114 within air-gap 106
that are configured to present the time between transparent cover
104 and the screen 112. Watch hand 114A may be an hour hand and
watch hand 114B may be a second hand. Although shown as having two
watch hands 114A and 114B, in some examples, computing device 110
may include a single or more than two watch hands 114.
[0020] In some examples, watch hands 114 may be formed from
metallic material, composite material, silicon material, polymer
material, or other suitable material for forming a set of physical
watch hands that are configured to operate within air-gap 106,
between transparent cover 104 and display unit 112. In some
examples, watch hands 114 may be formed of spring steel. In some
examples, watch hands 114 may be formed of a shape-memory alloy
("SMA"). SMA (also may be referred to as "smart metal," "memory
metal," "memory alloy," "muscle wire," and "smart alloy") is an
engineered material alloy that can change shape or color when
exposed to various stimuli including but not limited to electrical,
magnetic, light, and/or pressure.
[0021] UI module 120 of computing device 110 may control display
unit 112 to cause display unit 112 to present or refrain from
presenting graphical information, and may further control physical
watch hands 114 to present or refrain from presenting the time. UI
module 112 may be operable (e.g., by one or more processors of
computing device 110) to process input received from a user (e.g.,
through a touch interface attached to display unit 112) and provide
output for display at display unit 112.
[0022] As is described in further detail below, UI module 120 may
also configure physical watch hands 114 and display unit 112 to
operate in a certain way (e.g., in various modes depending on
whether computing device 110 is to present or not present the time
of day). That is, computing device 110 may operate in a time
display mode in which computing device 110 is configured primarily
for presenting the time of day or may operate in a graphical
display mode in which computing device 110 is configured primarily
for presenting graphical information at display unit 112.
[0023] UI module 120 may be implemented in hardware, software,
firmware, or some combination thereof, residing in and/or executing
at computing device 110. One or more processors of computing device
110 may implement functionality and/or execute instructions stored
within computing device 110 for performing operations associated
with UI module 120. Computing device 110 may execute UI module 120
with one processor or with multiple processors. In some examples,
computing device 110 may execute UI module 120 as a virtual machine
executing on underlying hardware. UI module 120 may execute as a
service of an operating system or computing platform or may execute
cloud based service accessible by computing device 110.
[0024] UI module 120 may act as an intermediary between various
components of computing device 110 to make determinations based on
input detected by a touch interface attached to display unit 112
and/or generate output presented by display unit 112. For instance,
UI module 120 may receive, as an input from an application
executing at computing device 110, a representation of elements of
a graphical user interface. UI module 120 may also receive, as an
input from the application, a sequence of touch events generated
from information about user input detected by a touch interface
attached to display unit 112 as the user interacts with the
graphical user interface. UI module 120 may determine, based on the
location components in the sequence touch events that one or more
location components approximate a selection of one or more
locations of the elements of the graphical user interface. UI
module 120 may transmit, as output to the application, the sequence
of touch events. UI module 120 may receive information from the
application to update the graphical user interface presented by
display unit 112, for example, to include text or other information
based on the user interaction associated with the graphical user
interface.
[0025] While some other computing devices tend to switch-off
displays during periods of non-use, other so called "always-on"
computing devices may display information, or at least maintain a
display, or a portion thereof, in an actively ready-state for
presenting information, even when the computing device is not being
used. For example, a device may always display a clock or one or
more other graphical indicators even after prolonged periods of
user-inactivity and as a result, may waste power keeping portions
of a display area activated even when the device is not being worn
or not being used. Unlike these other always-on devices, UI module
120 may cause computing device 110 to power-off display unit 112
completely when computing device 110 is operating in a time display
mode and therefore, not being used to present graphical information
at the screen of display unit 112, and despite powering off display
unit 112, computing device 110 may retain the ability to present
the time of day.
[0026] For example, computing device 110 may operate in a time
display mode when computing device 110 transitions from an active
or powered on state in which computing device 110 presents
graphical information at display unit 112 to a stand-by or inactive
state in which computing device 110 is no longer presenting
graphical information at display unit 112. In some examples,
computing device 110 may transition to the time display mode
automatically (e.g., after determining that a user has not provided
input to the device for a period of time, in response to detecting
a pattern of motion indicating the user is not viewing the display
region of display unit 112, or after any other time that computing
device 110 deems the user would likely prefer to view the time of
day being presented at display unit 112).
[0027] In accordance with techniques of this disclosure, responsive
to determining that computing device 110 is operating in a time
display mode, UI module 120 may manipulate the set of physical
watch hands 114 such that the set of physical watch hands 114
present the time of day by obscuring a portion of a display region
of the screen of display unit 112. For example, UI module 120 may
send a signal or command to a watch hand control component (e.g., a
motor) of physical watch hands 114 that causes physical watch hands
114 to extend from a stowed position (e.g., a central position
above the center of the display surface of display unit 112, a
hidden position located at an edge or adjacent to the display
surface of display unit 112, or from some other stowed position
location as described herein) to an extended position. Once in the
extended position, the watch hand control component may cause
physical watch hands 114 to move and present the time of day.
[0028] Responsive to determining that computing device 110 is not
operating in the time display mode, UI module 120 may manipulate
the set of physical watch hands 114 such that the set of physical
hands 114 do not obscure the screen. For example, UI module 120 may
send a signal or command to the watch hand control component of
physical watch hands 114 that causes physical watch hands 114 to
retract from the extended position to the stowed position. Once in
the stowed position, the watch hand control component may cease
causing physical watch hands 114 to move and present the time of
day.
[0029] In this way, when an example computing device, such as
computing device 110 is operating in a time display mode, the
example computing device may conserve electrical energy by
powering-off its display and presenting the time of day using a set
of physical watch hands that are located between the cover glass
and the display. Since the physical watch hands are located between
the cover and the screen (e.g., above the display), the physical
watch hands may cast shadows onto the powered-off display, making
it easier for a user to tell the time of day, no matter from which
angle that he or she views the watch face. In addition, by saving
electrical energy through completely powering off the display, the
example computing device may have an increased battery life and/or
have the same battery life using a smaller battery as compared to
other computerized watches. Using a smaller battery has the
additional advantage of decreasing size (e.g., volume), weight,
and/or cost.
[0030] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating computing device 210
as an example computerized watch that is configured to present the
time using physical watch hands, in accordance with one or more
aspects of the present disclosure. Computing device 210 represents
a more detailed example of computing device 110 of FIG. 1 and is
described below in the context of computing device 110 of FIG. 1.
For example, display unit 212 is analogous to display unit 112 of
FIG. 1, UI module 220 is analogous to UI module 120 of FIG. 1,
etc.
[0031] Computing device 210 includes one or more processors 240,
one or more communication unit 244, one or more output components
264, one or more input components 242, display unit 212, one or
more watch hand components 215, and one or more storage components
248. Storage components 248 include UI module 220, and display unit
212 includes presence-sensitive input component 216 and display
component 218. Watch hand components 215 include physical hands
214A and 24B, electrical components 217, and mechanical components
219. Each of components 240, 242, 244, 246, 212, 216, 218, 215,
214A, 214B, 217, and 219 is communicatively coupled via one or more
communication channels 250. In other words, communication channels
250 may interconnect each of the various components of computing
device 210 for inter-component communications (physically,
communicatively, and/or operatively). In some examples,
communication channels 250 may include a system bus, a network
connection, an inter-process communication data structure, or any
other method for communicating data.
[0032] One or more input components 242 of computing device 210 may
receive input. Examples of input are tactile, audio, and video
input. Input components 242 of computing device 210, in one
example, includes a presence-sensitive display, touch-sensitive
screen, mouse, keyboard, voice responsive system, video camera,
microphone or any other type of device for detecting input from a
human or machine. One or more input components 242 may further
include one or more sensor components. Numerous examples of sensor
components exist and include any input component configured to
obtain environmental information about the circumstances
surrounding computing device 210, such as one or more location
sensors (GPS components, Wi-Fi components, cellular components),
one or more temperature sensors, one or more movement sensors
(e.g., accelerometers, gyros), one or more pressure sensors (e.g.,
barometer), one or more ambient light sensors, and one or more
other sensors (e.g., microphone, camera, infrared proximity sensor,
hygrometer, and the like).
[0033] One or more output components 246 of computing device 210
may generate output. Examples of output are tactile, audio, and
video output. Output components 246 of computing device 210, in one
example, includes a presence-sensitive display, sound card, video
graphics adapter card, speaker, cathode ray tube (CRT) monitor,
LCD, ILED, OLED, or any other type of device for generating output
to a human or machine.
[0034] One or more communication units 244 of computing device 210
may communicate with external devices via one or more wired and/or
wireless networks by transmitting and/or receiving network signals
on the one or more networks. Examples of communication units 244
include a network interface card (e.g. such as an Ethernet card),
an optical transceiver, a radio frequency transceiver, a GPS
receiver, or any other type of device that can send and/or receive
information. Other examples of communication units 244 may include
short wave radios, cellular data radios, wireless network radios,
NFC, as well as universal serial bus (USB) controllers.
[0035] One or more processors 240 may implement functionality
and/or execute instructions within computing device 210. For
example, processors 240 on computing device 210 may receive and
execute instructions stored by storage components 248 that execute
the functionality of module 220. The instructions executed by
processors 240 may cause computing device 210 to store information
within storage components 248 during program execution. Examples of
processors 240 include application processors, display controllers,
sensor hubs, and any other hardware configure to function as a
processing unit. Processors 240 may execute instructions of module
220 to cause display unit 212 to configure display component 218 to
output or refrain from outputting graphical information for
display. That is, module 220 may be operable by processors 240 to
perform various actions or functions of computing device 210
described herein.
[0036] One or more storage components 248 within computing device
210 may store information for processing during operation of
computing device 210 (e.g., computing device 210 may store data
accessed by module 220 during execution at computing device 210).
In some examples, storage components 248 may comprise a temporary
memory, meaning that a primary purpose of storage component 248 is
not long-term storage. Storage components 248 on computing device
210 may be configured for short-term storage of information as
volatile memory and therefore not retain stored contents if powered
off. Examples of volatile memories include random access memories
(RAM), dynamic random access memories (DRAM), static random access
memories (SRAM), and other forms of volatile memories known in the
art.
[0037] Storage components 248, in some examples, also include one
or more computer-readable storage media. Storage components 248 may
be configured to store larger amounts of information than volatile
memory. Storage components 248 may further be configured for
long-term storage of information as non-volatile memory space and
retain information after power on/off cycles. Examples of
non-volatile memories include magnetic hard discs, optical discs,
floppy discs, flash memories, or forms of electrically programmable
memories (EPROM) or electrically erasable and programmable (EEPROM)
memories. Storage components 248 may store program instructions
and/or information (e.g., data) associated with module 220.
[0038] Display unit 212 of computing device 210 includes display
component 218 and presence-sensitive input component 216. Display
component 218 may be a screen at which information is displayed by
display unit 212 and presence-sensitive input component 216 may
detect an object at and/or near display component 218. As one
example range, presence-sensitive input component 216 may detect an
object, such as a finger or stylus that is within two inches or
less of display component 218. Presence-sensitive input component
216 may determine a location (e.g., an [x, y] coordinate) of
display component 218 at which the object was detected. In another
example range, presence-sensitive input component 216 may detect an
object six inches or less from display component 218 and other
ranges are also possible. Presence-sensitive input component 216
may determine the location of display component 218 selected by a
user's finger using capacitive, inductive, and/or optical
recognition techniques. In some examples, presence-sensitive input
component 216 also provides output to a user using tactile, audio,
or video stimuli as described with respect to display component
218. In the example of FIG. 2, display unit 212 may present a user
interface (such as a graphical user interface for receiving touch
or voice input and outputting graphical information in response
thereto).
[0039] Display unit 212 of computing device 210 may receive tactile
input from a user of computing device 210. Display unit 212 may
receive indications of the tactile input by detecting one or more
tap or non-tap gestures from a user of computing device 210 (e.g.,
the user touching or pointing to one or more locations of display
unit 212 with a finger or a stylus pen). Display unit 212 may
present output to a user. Display unit 212 may present the output
as a graphical user interface, which may be associated with
functionality provided by various features of or applications
executing at computing device 210. For example, display unit 212
may present various user interfaces of components of a computing
platform, operating system, applications, or services executing at
or accessible by computing device 210 (e.g., an electronic message
application, a navigation application, an Internet browser
application, a mobile operating system, etc.). A user may interact
with a respective user interface to cause computing device 210 to
perform operations relating to one or more the various functions.
For example, UI module 220 may cause display unit 212 to present a
graphical user interface associated with a text input function of
computing device 210, a search function of computing device 210, a
predictive reminder function of computing device 210, a
voice-to-speech function of computing device 210, a fitness tracker
function of computing device 210, or any other function of
computing device 210. The user of computing device 210 may view
output presented as feedback associated with the various functions
of computing device 210 and provide input to display unit 212 to
compose interact and engage with said functions.
[0040] Display unit 212 of computing device 210 may detect
two-dimensional and/or three-dimensional gestures as input from a
user of computing device 210. For instance, a sensor of display
unit 212 may detect a user's movement (e.g., moving a hand, an arm,
a pen, a stylus, etc.) within a threshold distance of the sensor of
display unit 212. Display unit 212 may determine a two or three
dimensional vector representation of the movement and correlate the
vector representation to a gesture input (e.g., a hand-wave, a
pinch, a clap, a pen stroke, etc.) that has multiple dimensions. In
other words, display unit 212 can detect a multi-dimension gesture
without requiring the user to gesture at or near a screen or
surface at which display unit 212 outputs information for display.
Instead, display unit 212 can detect a multi-dimensional gesture
performed at or near a sensor which may or may not be located near
the screen or surface at which display unit 212 outputs information
for display.
[0041] Watch hand components 215 represent the mechanical and/or
electrical components of computing device 210 that are configured
to present a time of day between a transparent cover of computing
device 210 (not shown) and display component 218 (e.g., a screen).
In some examples, watch hand components 215 include a hub or
housing for containing each of the components of watch hand
components 215.
[0042] Physical hands 214A and 214B are analogous to physical watch
hands 114A and 114B from FIG. 1. In some examples, watch hand
components 215 may include more than two physical watch hands
(e.g., a third physical watch hand for displaying seconds in
addition to displaying hours an minutes with the other two physical
watch hands). In some examples, watch hand component 215 may
include a single physical watch hand (e.g., for presenting elapsed
seconds, for instance, as a stopwatch or timer).
[0043] Electric components 217 and mechanical components 219
represent any and all electrical and mechanical components
necessary for manipulating and for controlling movement of physical
hands 214 to present the time of day. For example, electric
components 217 may include piezo-electric components, solenoidal
components, motors, resistors, conductors, capacitors,
microcontrollers, processors, or any other electrical hardware for
manipulating and for controlling movement of physical hands 214 to
present the time of day. Mechanical components 219 may include one
or more mechanical gears, rods, pistons, quartz crystals, or any
other mechanical component necessary for manipulating and for
controlling movement of physical hands 214 to present the time of
day.
[0044] Mechanical components 219 alone or in combination with
electric components 217 may be configured to control movement of
physical hands 214 as a manual movement, automatic movement, or
quartz movement. For example, when configured as a mechanical
movement, mechanical components 219 may include a crown,
mainspring, gear train, escapement, balance wheel, dial train, and
one or more jewels. When configured as an automatic movement,
mechanical components 219 may include a crown, mainspring, gear
train, escapement, balance wheel, dial train, one or more jewels,
and a rotor. And when configured as an automatic movement,
mechanical components 219 may include a quartz crystal and a dial
train, and may rely on a battery, controlling integrated circuit,
and a motor (e.g., a stepping motor) of electric components
217.
[0045] In some examples, physical hands 214 may be formed from a
highly flexible spring steel that enables physical hands to return
to their original shape despite significant deflection or twisting.
When formed of spring steel, mechanical components 219 may include
a piston and electrical components 217 may include a piston control
component that applies a stimulus to the piston to extend and push
watch hands 214 from a stowed position to an extended position and
applies a stimulus to the piston to retract and pull watch hands
214 from the extended position to the stowed position.
[0046] In some examples, physical hands 214 may be formed from may
be formed of SMA. When formed of SMA, electric components 217 may
include a SMA control component that applies a stimulus (e.g.,
applied temperature, electro-magnetic field, pressure, etc.) to
cause watch hands 214 to change from being in a first shape (e.g.,
a stowed position) to being in a second shape (e.g., an extended
position), or vice versa.
[0047] In operation, responsive to determining that computing
device 210 is operating in a time display mode, UI module 220 may
send a signal or command via communication channels 250 that causes
electrical components 217 and/or mechanical components 219 of watch
hand components 215 to manipulate physical watch hands 214A and
214B such that physical watch hands 214A and 214B present the time
of day by obscuring a portion of a display region of display
component 218 of display unit 212. For example, UI module 220 may
detect, based on information obtained from a sensor of input
components 242, a pattern of movement associated with computing
device 210. Based on the pattern of movement, UI module 220 may
determine a user of computing device 210 is no longer holding
computing device 210 in a way that suggests he or she is likely
viewing graphical information presented by display component
218.
[0048] UI module 220 may cause computing device 210 to operate in a
time display mode in which UI module 220 may cause display unit 212
to power-off or otherwise cease presenting graphical information
using display component 218 and may cause watch hand components 215
to manipulate physical hands 214 such that they change from being
in a stowed position to an un-stowed position for presenting the
time of day. For example, UI module 220 may cause physical hands to
extend from a retracted position to an extended position out over a
portion of the display region of display component 218 to present
the time of day. In some examples, UI module 220 may cause physical
hands to twist from a concealed position in which a very thin
(e.g., less than one millimeter) and substantially planar surface
of physical hands 214 is perpendicular to the display region of
display component 218 to an un-concealed position in which the
substantially planar surface of physical hands 214 is parallel, and
partially obscures, the display region of display component
218.
[0049] Responsive to determining that computing device 210 is not
operating in the time display mode, UI module 220 may manipulate
physical hands 214 such that the physical hands 214 do not obscure
display component 218. For example, UI module 220 may detect, based
on information obtained from a sensor of input components 242, a
pattern of movement associated with computing device 210. Based on
the pattern of movement, UI module 220 may determine a user of
computing device 210 is holding computing device 210 in way that
suggests he or she is likely viewing graphical information
presented by display component 218.
[0050] UI module 220 may cause computing device 210 to cease
operating in the time display mode in which UI module 220 may cause
display unit 212 to power-on or otherwise resume presenting
graphical information using display component 218 and may cause
watch hand components 215 to manipulate physical hands 214 such
that they change from being in an un-stowed or extended position to
a stowed or retracted position where physical hands 214 no longer
obscure display component 218. For example, UI module 220 may cause
physical hands to retract from the extended position to the
retracted position in the center of the display region of display
component 218 or adjacent to the display region of display
component 218. In some examples, UI module 220 may cause physical
hands to twist from an unconcealed position in which a
substantially planar surface of physical hands 214 is parallel to
the display region of display component 218 to a concealed position
in which the substantially planar surface of physical hands 214 is
perpendicular, and due to the very small thickness of physical
hands 214, does not visibly obscure, the display region of display
component 218.
[0051] FIGS. 3A-3H are conceptual diagrams illustrating top-down
and cross-sectional side views of computing device 310 as an
additional example computerized watch that is configured to present
the time using physical watch hands, in accordance with one or more
aspects of the present disclosure. Computing device 310 represents
one example of computing device 110 of FIG. 1 and is described
below in the context of computing device 110 of FIG. 1. For
example, display unit 312 of FIGS. 3A-3H is analogous to display
unit 112 of FIG. 1, UI module 320 is analogous to UI module 120 of
FIG. 1, etc.
[0052] Computing device 310 includes physical hands 314,
transparent cover 304, outer housing 302, display unit 312, UI
module 320, and hubs 360A and 360B. Physical hands 314 are
configured to extend from a stowed position to an extended position
to present the time of day between transparent cover 304 and the
screen of UID 312. UI module 320 may manipulate the set of watch
physical hands 314 by extending physical hands from the stowed
position to the extended position in response to determining that
computing device 310 is operating in the time display mode and UI
module 320 may manipulate physical hands 314 by retracting physical
hands 314 from the extended position to the stowed position in
response to determining that computing device 310 is not operating
in the time display mode. FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate the extended
position of physical hands 314 and FIGS. 3C and 3D show physical
hands 314 in a stowed position.
[0053] For example, as shown in FIGS. 3B and 3D, transparent cover
304 forms a first outer surface of computing device 310 and outer
housing 302 forms a second surface of computing device 310 that is
opposite the first surface. The stowed position of physical hands
314 is located outside or adjacent to an outer edge of the screen
of UID 312 between the screen of UID 312 and outer housing 302. For
instance, hands 314 may flatten against the internal side walls of
housing 302. In some examples, as shown in FIGS. 3B and 3D,
computing device 310 includes hubs 360A and 360B located between
the screen of display unit 312 and outer housing 302 that contains
physical hands 314 when retracted to the stowed position.
[0054] In some examples, physical hands 314 are configured to
extend from the stowed position to the extended position by
stretching from outside the outer edge of the display region of the
screen of display unit 312 to the extended position above the
display region of the screen of display unit 312, and physical
hands 314 are configured to retract from the un-stowed position to
the stowed position by shrinking from above the display region of
the screen of display unit 312 to the stowed position outside the
outer edge of the display region of the screen of display unit 312.
For example, when UI module 320 causes physical hands 314 to be in
the stowed position, UI module 320 may retract physical hands 314
from the extended position shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B to the
retracted position shown in FIGS. 3C and 3D. Conversely, when UI
module 320 causes physical hands 314 to be in the un-stowed
position, UI module 320 may extend physical hands 314 from the
stowed position shown in FIGS. 3C and 3D to the extended position
shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B.
[0055] Hubs 360A and 360B may include respective control components
for extending and retracting hands 314 to and from the extended and
stowed positions. Hubs 360A and 360B may rotate around the
circumference of the display region of display unit 312 with
increments in time. The outlines show how depending on the time
being displayed, the cross sectional view of hubs 360A and 360B may
appear to the left or right of the screen.
[0056] Watch hands 314 may be made from SMA and hubs 360A and 360B
may include electrical and mechanical components for stretching and
shrinking hands 314 to and from the extended position. In other
examples, watch hands 314 may be made from some other metallic,
plastic, or silicon material and hubs 360A and 360B may include a
piston and other electrical and mechanical components for pushing
and pulling hands 314 to and from the extended position.
[0057] FIGS. 3E and 3F show an example of computing device 310 in
which hub 360A wraps around the outer edge of the display surface
of display unit 312 and includes piston 372A and hub 360B wraps
around the outer edge of the display surface of display unit 312
and includes piston 372B. In the example of FIGS. 3E and 3F, hands
314 may be made from spring steel or some other flexible material
that bends easily and returns to its original shape. UI module 320
may control pistons 372A and 372B to extend hands 314 from beneath
display unit 312 and above the display region of display unit 312
when computing device operates in a time display mode. UI module
320 may control pistons 372A and 372B to retract hands 314 from
above display unit 312 and beneath the display region of display
unit 312 when computing device 310 is not operating in the time
display mode.
[0058] FIGS. 3G and 3H show a top-down view of an additional
example of computing device 310. Hubs 360A and 360B are shown as
being rotating wheels or gears that each includes a respective
pivot component 370A and 370B that is coupled to a respective
physical hand 314A or 314B. For example, hub 360A may be a main or
outer gear associated with pivot component 372A which acts as an
inner or sub gear that is coupled to hand 314A. Hub 360B may be a
main or outer gear associated with pivot component 372B which acts
as an inner or sub gear that is coupled to hand 314B.
[0059] UI module 320 may cause the position of pivot component 370A
to rotate clockwise with the change in minute time of day and UI
module 320 may cause the position of pivot component to rotate
clockwise with the change in hour time of day, or vice versa. UI
module 320 may control pivot components 370A and 370B to extend
hands 314 out above display unit 312, as shown in FIG. 3G when
computing device 310 is operating in a time display mode. UI module
320 may control pivot components 370A and 370B to retract hands 314
from above display unit 312, as shown in FIG. 3H when computing
device 310 is not operating in the time display mode. In some
examples, in addition to rotating hands 314 to change their
position, UI module 320 may further cause hands to retract in
length so as to better stow adjacent to the inner wall of housing
302.
[0060] FIGS. 4A-4D are conceptual diagrams illustrating top-down
and cross-sectional side views of computing device 410 as an
additional example computerized watch that is configured to present
the time using physical watch hands, in accordance with one or more
aspects of the present disclosure. Computing device 410 represents
one example of computing device 110 of FIG. 1 and is described
below in the context of computing device 110 of FIG. 1. For
example, display unit 412 of FIGS. 4A-4D is analogous to display
unit 112 of FIG. 1, UI module 420 is analogous to UI module 120 of
FIG. 1, etc.
[0061] Computing device 410 includes physical hands 414,
transparent cover 404, outer housing 402, display unit 412, UI
module 420, and hub 460. Physical hands 414 are configured to
extend from a stowed position to an extended position to present
the time of day between transparent cover 404 and the screen of UID
412. UI module 420 may manipulate the set of watch physical hands
414 by extending physical hands from the stowed position to the
extended position in response to determining that computing device
410 is operating in the time display mode and UI module 420 may
manipulate physical hands 414 by retracting physical hands 414 from
the extended position to the stowed position in response to
determining that computing device 410 is not operating in the time
display mode. FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate the extended position of
physical hands 414 and FIGS. 4C and 4D show physical hands 414 in a
stowed position. Similar to hubs 360A and 360B, hub 460 may include
respective control components for extending and retracting hands
414 to and from the extended and stowed positions.
[0062] For example, as shown in FIGS. 4C and 4D, the stowed
position of physical hands 414 corresponds to a central location of
the display region of the screen of UID 412 that is between
transparent cover 404 and the screen of UID 412. In some examples,
also shown in FIGS. 4C and 4D, computing device 410 may include hub
460 located between transparent cover 404 and the screen of UID 412
such that when physical hands 414 are in the stowed position,
physical hands 414 are contained within hub 460.
[0063] In some examples, physical hands 414 are configured to
extend from the stowed position to the extended position by
extending from the center of the display region of the screen of
display unit 414 to the extended position and physical hands 414
are configured to retract from the un-stowed or extended position
to the stowed or un-extended position by retracting back into the
center of the display region of the screen of display unit 414. For
example, when UI module 420 causes physical hands 414 to be in the
stowed position, UI module 420 may retract physical hands 414 from
the extended position shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B to the retracted
position shown in FIGS. 4C and 4D. Conversely, when UI module 420
causes physical hands 414 to be in the un-stowed position, UI
module 420 may extend physical hands 314 from the stowed position
shown in FIGS. 4C and 4D to the extended position shown in FIGS. 4A
and 4B.
[0064] FIGS. 5A and 5B are conceptual diagrams illustrating
physical hand 514 as an example physical watch hand that is in an
extended and stowed position, in accordance with one or more
aspects of the present disclosure. FIGS. 5A and 5B are described in
the context of FIGS. 1, 2, 3A-3D, and 4A-4D. For example, physical
hand 514 is analogous to physical hand 114A or physical hand 114B
of FIG. 1.
[0065] FIG. 5A shows physical hand 514 in a stowed or retracted
position and FIG. 5B shows physical hand 514 in an extended or
un-stowed position. For example, physical 514 may be made up of
several interconnected portions of metallic or polymer material
that are configured to collapse or fold into a retracted position
(as shown in FIG. 5A) and extend or unfold into an extended
position (as shown in FIG. 5B). In some examples, physical hand 514
may be made from SMA and when the temperature of physical hand 514
is above an activation temperature of the SMA, physical hand may be
in the retracted position of FIG. 5A and when below the activation
temperature, physical hand may be in the extended position as shown
in FIG. 5B.
[0066] FIGS. 6A and 6B are conceptual diagrams illustrating visible
and hidden positions of physical hand 614 as an additional example
a physical watch hand, in accordance with one or more aspects of
the present disclosure. FIGS. 6A and 6B are described in the
context of FIGS. 1, 2, 3A-3D, and 4A-4D. For example, computing
device 610 and display unit 612 are analogous to computing device
110 and display unit 112 of FIG. 1, physical hand 614 is analogous
to physical hand 114A or physical hand 114B of FIG. 1, etc.
[0067] FIGS. 6A and 6B represent top-down views of physical hand
614. FIG. 6A shows physical hand 614 in a stowed position and FIG.
6B shows physical hand 614 in an un-stowed position. In other
words, in FIG. 6A, physical hand 614 appears as it would if a user
of computing device 610 was viewing physical hand 614 presenting
the time of day when obscuring a display region of the screen of
display unit 612. In FIG. 6B, physical hand 614 appears as it would
if a user of computing device 610 was viewing physical hand 614
when in a stowed position and no longer presenting the time of
day.
[0068] FIGS. 6A and 6B show that, in some examples, each physical
hand from the set of physical watch includes a respective planar
surface and a respective vertical edge. For example, physical hand
614 includes planar surface 680 and vertical edge 682. The width w
of planar surface 680 is greater than the depth or thickness d of
vertical edge 682.
[0069] Computing device 610 may manipulate physical hand 614 by
twisting physical hand 614 such that planar surface 680 is parallel
to the screen of display unit 612 in response to determining that
computing device 610 is operating in a time display mode.
Alternatively, computing device 610 may manipulate physical hand
614 by twisting physical hand 614 such that planar surface 680 is
perpendicular to the screen of display unit 612 in response to
determining that computing device 610 is not operating in the time
display mode. In some examples, vertical edge 682 of physical hand
614 has a thickness or depth d that causes the physical hand 614 to
not obscure the screen of display unit 612 when physical hand 614
is twisted such that planar surface 680 is perpendicular to the
screen. In other words, since the thickness d of physical hand 614
is so thin, to a user, physical hand 614 disappears from view and
does not obscure graphical information presented at display unit
612 when planar surface 680 is perpendicular to the screen of
display unit 612.
[0070] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating example operations
700-720 of an example computerized watch that is configured to
present the time using physical watch hands, in accordance with one
or more aspects of the present disclosure. For example, in some
instances, at least one processor of computing device 110 of FIG. 1
may cause UI module 120 to perform operations 700-720. In some
examples, a computer-readable storage medium of computing device
110 may include instructions that, when executed, cause at least
one processor of computing device 110 to perform operations
700-720. The flow chart of FIG. 7 represents one example ordering
for operations 700-720. In other examples, an example computing
device such as computing device 110 may perform operations 700-720
in a different order. FIG. 7 is described below in the context of
computing device 110 of FIG. 1.
[0071] In operation, computing device 110 may determine whether a
computerized watch is operating in a time display mode (700). For
example, UI module 120 may detect, based on information obtained
from a sensor of computing device 110, a pattern of movement
associated with computing device 110. Based on the pattern of
movement, UI module 120 may determine whether a user of computing
device 110 is holding computing device 110 in a way that suggests
he or she is viewing graphical information presented by display
unit 112. Responsive to determining the user is not likely viewing
graphical information presented at display unit 112, UI module 120
may cause computing device 110 to operate in a time display mode in
which computing device 110 ceases presenting graphical information
at display unit 112. Alternatively, responsive to determining the
user is likely viewing graphical information presented at display
unit 112, UI module 120 may cause computing device 110 to not
operate in a time display mode but rather operate in a different
mode in which computing device 110 presents graphical information
at display unit 112.
[0072] Responsive to determining that computing device 110 is
operating in the time display mode (YES branch, 700), computing
device 110 may manipulate a set of physical watch hands such that
the set of physical watch hands present the time of day between a
transparent cover of the computerized watch and a screen by
obscuring a portion of a display region of the screen (710). For
example, UI module 120 may control an electrical and/or physical
component of computing device 110 that is configured to manipulate
physical watch hands 114A and 114B such that physical watch hands
114A and 114B present the time of day by obscuring a portion of a
display region of display unit 212. UI module 120 may cause the
electrical and/or physical watch hand components to manipulate
physical hands 114 such that they change from being in a stowed
position to an un-stowed position for presenting the time of day.
For example, UI module 120 may cause physical hands 114 to extend
from a retracted or stowed position to an extended position out
over a portion of the display region of display unit 112 to present
the time of day. In some examples, UI module 120 may cause physical
hands 114 to twist from a concealed position in which a very thin
(e.g., less than one millimeter) and substantially planar surface
of physical hands 114 is perpendicular to the display region of
display unit 112 to an un-concealed position in which the
substantially planar surface of physical hands 114 is parallel, and
partially obscures, the display region of display unit 112.
[0073] In some examples, further responsive to determining that the
computerized watch is operating in the time display mode, UI module
120 may cause computing device 110 to refrain from outputting, for
display at the screen of display unit 112, graphical information.
In some examples, UI module 120 may cause computing device 110 to
refrain from outputting the graphical information for display by
powering-off the screen of display unit 112.
[0074] Responsive to determining that computing device 110 is not
operating in the time display mode (NO branch, 700), computing
device 110 may manipulate a set of physical watch hands such that
the set of physical watch hands do not obscure the screen (720).
For example, UI module 120 may detect, based on information
obtained from a sensor of computing device 110, a pattern of
movement associated with computing device 110 and determine, based
on the pattern of movement, that a user of computing device 110 is
holding or otherwise interacting with computing device 110 in such
a way that he or she is likely to be viewing graphical information
presented by display unit 112.
[0075] UI module 120 may cause computing device 110 to cease
operating in the time display mode in which case, UI module 220 may
cause display unit 112 to power-on or otherwise resume presenting
graphical information using display unit 112. Said differently, UI
module 120 may cause display unit 112 to output, for display at a
screen of display unit 112, graphical information.
[0076] UI module 120 may cause the electrical and/or mechanical
watch hand components of computing device 110 to manipulate
physical hands 114 such that they change from being in an un-stowed
position to a stowed position where physical hands 114 no longer
obscure the screen of display unit 112. For example, UI module 220
may cause physical hands to retract from an extended position to a
retracted position in the center of or beneath the display region
of the screed of display unit 112. In some examples, UI module 120
may cause physical hands 114 to twist from an unconcealed position
in which a substantially planar surface of physical hands 114 is
parallel to the display region of display unit 112 to a concealed
position in which the substantially planar surface of physical
hands 114 is perpendicular to the screen, and due to the very small
thickness of physical hands 114, does not visibly obscure the
display region of display unit 112.
[0077] FIGS. 8A-8D are conceptual diagrams illustrating top-down
and cross-sectional side views of computing device 810 as an
example computerized watch that is configured to present the time
using multiple, layered segmented displays, in accordance with one
or more aspects of the present disclosure. Computing device 810
includes transparent cover 804, external housing 802, UI module
820, and display unit 812, which are similar to cover 104, housing
801, UI module 120, and display unit 812 of computing device 110 of
FIG. 1. Instead of physical hands 114 however, computing device 810
includes a plurality of segmented displays 890A and 890B
(collectively "segmented displays 890") layered atop display unit
812. Although only two segmented displays 890 are shown in FIGS. 8A
and 8B, it should be understood that computing device 810 may
include additional (e.g., more than two) segmented displays layered
atop display unit 812.
[0078] Each of segmented displays 890 may, in some examples, be a
segmented liquid crystal display (LCD) unit that is configured to
present graphical watch hands (e.g., with each having sixty
individual radial segments to display each second/minute and/or
hour/minute) when computing device 810 is operating in a time
display mode.
[0079] In some examples, each of segmented displays 890 may be
configured to present a different style of a graphical watch face.
UI module 820 may control each of segmented displays 890 and
display unit 812 such that only one of segmented displays 890 or
display unit 812 is active at any time. For example, as shown in
FIG. 8B, when computing device 810 is not operating in a time
display mode, UI module 820 may power-off or otherwise cause each
of segmented displays 890 to be transparent and may cause display
unit 812 to output graphical information for display. As shown in
FIG. 8C, when computing device 810 is operating in a first time
display mode in which computing device 810 is configured to present
a first graphical watch face, UI module 820 may power-off display
unit 812 and power-off display 890B and cause display 890A to
display a first graphical watch face. As shown in FIG. 8D, when
computing device 810 is operating in a second time display mode in
which computing device 810 is configured to present a second
graphical watch face that is different than the first graphical
watch face, UI module 820 may power-off display unit 812 and
power-off or otherwise cause display 890A to be transparent while
simultaneously causing display 890B to display a second graphical
watch face.
[0080] In some examples, computing device 810 may have a control
(either mechanical or through a GUI maintained by UI module 820)
that allows a user to select which watch face to display when
operating in a time display mode. In this way, computing device 810
may rely on a segmented display to present the time of day rather
than a more sophisticated and power hungry display unit that is
also used to present a GUI. That is, segmented displays 890 may
consume far less power to drive sixty LCD segments than display
unit 812 which may have more than sixty LCD segments or rely on
some other display technology.
[0081] Some individuals like watches with mechanical/physical hands
because they are very precise and accurate at keeping time. Yet
certain individuals also want smart watches that typically have
displays dense with pixels that can be used to display arbitrary
information like email, exercise activity, etc. Certain traditional
computerized watches may have a single segmented LCD display
layered above a general purpose full color, pixel-dense display.
Such a segmented LCD may sit about the general purpose display, and
by turning one of the displays on or off, these computerized
watches may alternate between presenting the time and presenting a
more sophisticated GUI.
[0082] Unlike other computerized watches and other computing
devices, an example computing device, as described herein, may have
mechanical watch hands to display the time of day that coexists
with a general purpose pixel display. In some examples, the
computing device may rely on mechanical hands that twist ninety
degrees when the pixel display is active to be virtually invisible.
In some examples, the mechanical hands may retract when in active
mode and may extend when in time display mode. In other examples,
an example computing device, as described herein may include one or
more segmented LCD displays for presenting a graphical image of
watch hands when operating in time display mode and may make the
segmented LCD display transparent and use the general purpose
display to present a GUI when not in time display mode. In one or
more of these examples, the graphical or physical watch hands
appear above the pixel display and use various techniques (e.g.,
rotation to the low profile form, turning off LCD, retraction) to
remove their occlusion (blockage) of the pixel display below. In
this way, unlike a traditional smart watch, the example computing
device may be able to display the time (and maybe month, day, or
other radially-communicated information) even when the pixel
display is turned off. As pixel displays require a lot of power to
keep running, even low-power mode or always on displays, the
example computing device, either with physical or mechanical hands
or a device with segmented LCDs, particularly with hands that may
only need movement or updating once a minute, can operate using
potentially only a fraction of the amount of power consumed by a
traditional pixel LCD/OLED's display.
[0083] Clause 1. A computerized watch, comprising: a transparent
cover that forms at least a portion of an outer surface of the
computerized watch; a screen configured to output graphical
information for display; a set of physical watch hands configured
to present a time of day between the transparent cover and the
screen; one or more computer processors; and a memory comprising
instructions that when executed by the one or more computer
processors cause the one or more computer processors to: responsive
to determining that the computerized watch is operating in a time
display mode, manipulate the set of physical watch hands such that
the set of physical watch hands present the time of day by
obscuring a portion of a display region of the screen; and
responsive to determining that the computerized watch is not
operating in the time display mode, manipulate the set of physical
watch hands such that the set of physical hands do not obscure the
screen.
[0084] Clause 2. The computerized watch of clause 1, wherein: the
set of physical watch hands are configured to extend from a stowed
position to an extended position to present the time of day between
the cover and the screen; and the instructions, when executed,
further cause the one or more computer processors to: manipulate
the set of physical watch hands by extending the set of physical
watch hands from the stowed position to the extended position in
response to determining that the computerized watch is operating in
the time display mode; and manipulate the set of physical watch
hands by retracting the watch hands from the extended position to
the stowed position in response to determining that the
computerized watch is not operating in the time display mode.
[0085] Clause 3. The computerized watch of clause 2, wherein the
stowed position corresponds to a central location of the display
region of the screen that is between the cover and the screen.
[0086] Clause 4. The computerized watch of clause 3, further
comprising a central hub located between the cover and the screen,
wherein the stowed position is within the central hub.
[0087] Clause 5. The computerized watch of any one of clauses 2-4,
wherein: the outer surface is a first surface of the computerized
watch, the computerized watch further comprises an outer housing
that forms a second surface of the computerized watch that is
opposite the first surface; and the stowed position is located
between the screen and the outer housing.
[0088] Clause 6. The computerized watch of clause 5, wherein the
set of physical watch hands is configured to extend from the stowed
position to the extended position by extending from an edge of the
display region of the screen to the extended position above the
display region of the screen.
[0089] Clause 7. The computerized watch of any one of clauses 5-6,
further comprising a hub located between the edge of the screen and
the outer housing, wherein the stowed position is within the
hub.
[0090] Clause 8. The computerized watch of any of clauses 1-7,
wherein: each physical hand from the set of physical watch includes
a respective planar surface and a respective vertical edge; and the
instructions, when executed, further cause the one or more computer
processors to: manipulate the set of physical watch hands by
twisting each physical watch hand of the set of physical watch
hands such that the respective planar surface is parallel to the
screen in response to determining that the computerized watch is
operating in the time display mode; and manipulate the set of
physical watch hands by twisting each physical hand such that the
respective planar surface is perpendicular to the screen in
response to determining that the computerized watch is not
operating in the time display mode.
[0091] Clause 9. The computerized watch of clause 8, wherein the
respective vertical edge of each physical hand from the set of
physical watch hands has a thickness that causes the set of
physical watch hands to not obscure the screen when the set of
physical watch hands are twisted such that the respective planar
surface is perpendicular to the screen.
[0092] Clause 10. The computerized watch of any of clauses 1-9,
wherein the set of physical watch hands is formed from metallic
material, composite material, silicon material, or polymer
material.
[0093] Clause 11. The computerized watch of any of clauses 1-10,
wherein the set of physical watch hands is formed of a spring
steel.
[0094] Clause 12. A method comprising: responsive to determining
that a computerized watch is operating in a time display mode,
manipulating, by the computerized watch, a set of physical watch
hands such that the set of physical watch hands present a time of
day between a cover of the computerized watch and a screen of the
computerized watch by obscuring a portion of a display region of
the screen, wherein the cover forms at least a portion of an outer
surface of the computerized watch; and responsive to determining
that the computerized watch is not operating in the time display
mode, manipulating, by the computerized watch, the set of physical
watch hands such that the set of physical hands do not obscure the
screen.
[0095] Clause 13. The method of clause 12, further comprising:
further responsive to determining that the computerized watch is
not operating in the time display mode, outputting, by the
computerized watch, for display at the screen, graphical
information.
[0096] Clause 14. The method of any of clauses 12-13, further
comprising: further responsive to determining that the computerized
watch is operating in the time display mode, refraining from
outputting, by the computerized watch, for display at the screen,
graphical information.
[0097] Clause 15. The method of clause 14, wherein refraining from
outputting the graphical information includes powering-off, by the
computerized watch, the screen.
[0098] Clause 16. The method of any of clauses 12-15, wherein
manipulating the set of physical watch hands such that the set of
physical watch hands present the time of day between the cover and
the screen comprises extending, by the computerized watch, the
watch hands from a stowed position to an extended position in
response to determining that the computerized watch is operating in
the time display mode.
[0099] Clause 17. The method of clause 16, wherein the stowed
position and the extended position are each located between the
cover and the screen.
[0100] Clause 18. The method of claim 16, wherein the extended
position is located between the cover and the screen and the stowed
position is located between the screen and an outer housing that
forms a surface of the computerized watch that is opposite the
cover.
[0101] Clause 19. A computer readable storage medium comprising
instructions, that when executed, cause at least one processor of a
computerized watch to: responsive to determining that a
computerized watch is operating in a time display mode, manipulate
a set of physical watch hands of the computerized watch such that
the set of physical watch hands present a time of day between a
cover of the computerized watch and a screen of the computerized
watch by obscuring a portion of a display region of the screen,
wherein the cover forms at least a portion of an outer surface of
the computerized watch; and responsive to determining that the
computerized watch is not operating in the time display mode,
manipulate set of physical watch hands such that the set of
physical hands do not obscure the screen.
[0102] Clause 20. The computer readable storage medium of clause
19, wherein each physical hand includes from the set of physical
watch hands includes a respective planar surface and a respective
vertical edge, and the instructions, when executed, further cause
the at least one processor of the computerized watch to: manipulate
the set of physical watch hands such that the set of physical watch
hands present the time of day between the cover and the screen by
twisting each physical hand from the set of physical watch hands
such that a respective planar surface of the physical hand is
parallel to the screen in response to determining that the
computerized watch is operating in the time display mode;
manipulate the set of physical watch hands such that the set of
physical hands do not obscure the screen by twisting each physical
hand from the set of physical watch hands such that the respective
planar surface is perpendicular to the screen in response to
determining that the computerized watch is not operating in the
time display mode.
[0103] Clause 21. A system comprising means for performing any of
the methods of clauses 12-18.
[0104] Clause 21. The computing device of clause 1, comprising one
or more computer processors and a memory comprising instructions
that when executed cause the one or more computer processors to
perform any of the methods of clauses 12-18.
[0105] In one or more examples, the functions described may be
implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination
thereof. If implemented in software, the functions may be stored on
or transmitted over, as one or more instructions or code, a
computer-readable medium and executed by a hardware-based
processing unit. Computer-readable media may include
computer-readable storage media, which corresponds to a tangible
medium such as data storage media, or communication media including
any medium that facilitates transfer of a computer program from one
place to another, e.g., according to a communication protocol. In
this manner, computer-readable media generally may correspond to
(1) tangible computer-readable storage media, which is
non-transitory or (2) a communication medium such as a signal or
carrier wave. Data storage media may be any available media that
can be accessed by one or more computers or one or more processors
to retrieve instructions, code and/or data structures for
implementation of the techniques described in this disclosure. A
computer program product may include a computer-readable
medium.
[0106] By way of example, and not limitation, such
computer-readable storage media can comprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM,
CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage, or
other magnetic storage devices, flash memory, or any other medium
that can be used to store desired program code in the form of
instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a
computer. Also, any connection is properly termed a
computer-readable medium. For example, if instructions are
transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using a
coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber
line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and
microwave, then the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair,
DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and
microwave are included in the definition of medium. It should be
understood, however, that computer-readable storage media and data
storage media do not include connections, carrier waves, signals,
or other transient media, but are instead directed to
non-transient, tangible storage media. Disk and disc, as used
herein, includes compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc,
digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk and Blu-ray disc, where
disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproduce
data optically with lasers. Combinations of the above should also
be included within the scope of computer-readable media.
[0107] Instructions may be executed by one or more processors, such
as one or more digital signal processors (DSPs), general purpose
microprocessors, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs),
field programmable logic arrays (FPGAs), or other equivalent
integrated or discrete logic circuitry. Accordingly, the term
"processor," as used herein may refer to any of the foregoing
structure or any other structure suitable for implementation of the
techniques described herein. In addition, in some aspects, the
functionality described herein may be provided within dedicated
hardware and/or software modules. Also, the techniques could be
fully implemented in one or more circuits or logic elements.
[0108] The techniques of this disclosure may be implemented in a
wide variety of devices or apparatuses, including a wireless
handset, an integrated circuit (IC) or a set of ICs (e.g., a chip
set). Various components, modules, or units are described in this
disclosure to emphasize functional aspects of devices configured to
perform the disclosed techniques, but do not necessarily require
realization by different hardware units. Rather, as described
above, various units may be combined in a hardware unit or provided
by a collection of interoperable hardware units, including one or
more processors as described above, in conjunction with suitable
software and/or firmware.
[0109] Various examples have been described. These and other
examples are within the scope of the following claims.
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